Velocipede.



PATENTBD FEB. 27, 1906,.

0. A. RUDBBGK. VELOGIPEDB. APPLICATION FILED JUNEZB, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1' U MN W n W a No. 813,742. PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906.

G. A. RUDBEOK.

VELOGIPEDE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES CLAUS A. RUDBECK, OF GIBSON CITY, ILLINOIS.

VELOCIPEDE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1906.

Application filed June 23 1905. Serial No. 266,605.

To aZZ whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUS A. RUDBEOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gibson City, in the county of Ford and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to velocipedes; and it consists of the novel features and details of construction which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a side view of a velocipede illustrating the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof on the line X Xof Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the clutch provided between the upper section of the steering-post and the lever-frame. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the velocipede. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the steering mechanism. Fig. 6 is .a transverse section of the clutch provided between the upper section of the steering-post and the brace connecting the side members of the lever-frame.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The framework of the machine comprises upper longitudinal bars 1 and lower longitudinal bars 2, said bars extending in parallel relation and connected in any substantial manner. The rear axle 3 is journaled in suitable bearings near the rear end of the main frame and is provided with ground-wheels 1, which constitute drivers. A crank-shaft 5 is arranged parallel with the axle 3 a short distance in advance thereof and is provided at opposite ends with cranks, which are connected by pitmen 6 to the lower end of the operating-lever 7. Power is transmitted from the crank-shaft 5 to the axle 3 in any manner, preferably by means of intermeshing gear-wheels 8 and 9, the former being fast to the shaft 5 and the latter fast to the axle 3.

The operating-lever 7 may be of any construction and, as shown, consists of a frame having its side members pivoted near their lower ends to the longitudinal bars 2, as indicated at 10. The side members of the leyer-frame are offset a short distance above their pivot connections 10 to admit of the lower portions of said members embracing the outer sides of the bars 2, whereas the up per portions of said members pass between the upper longitudinal bars 1. A brace 11 connects the members of the lever-frame and forms a support for a clutch member 12 and a bearing for the lower part of the upper section 13 of the steering-post. Pitmen 6 connect the lower ends of the members of the lever-frame to the cranks of the shaft 5, and other pitmen 14 connect said ends to crankarms 15 of an arched bar 16, having its horizontal portion journaled in any suitable manner to the front portion of the machine-frame. The crank-arms of the arched bar 16 are provided with suitable pedals to minimize friction and add to the comfort of the person propelling the machine. A fork 17, provided with a pilot-wheel 18, has its stem j ournaled in a bearing at the front end of the machine-frame, and a cross-bar 19 at the crown of the fork has'its end portions connected by rods 20 with corresponding ends of a cross-bar 21 at the upper end of a vertical post 22, journaled in bearings about in the plane of the upper and lower longitudinal bars of the main frame. A cross-bar 23 is provided at the lower end of the Vertical post 22, and rods 24 connect opposite ends thereof to corresponding ends of a cross-bar 25 at the lower end of the steeringpost. A brace 26 connects the upwardly-curved por tion of the machine-frame with a transverse bar a short distance in the rear thereof, so as to stiffen and strengthen the main frame.

A steering-post comprises an upper section 13 and a lower section 27, the latter being mounted in a cross-piece 28 of the machineframe, whereas the upper section 13 is journaled in the brace 11 and in the upper crosspiece of the lever-frame. The lower section 27 is adapted to turn only, whereas the upper section 13 has both a turning movement and an oscillatory movement, the latter being due to the action of the lever-frame when vibrated backward and forward in the propulsion of the machine. To compensate for the differences of movements of the section 13 and 27, a universal oint 2 is interposed between the opposite ends of said sections and serves as connecting means therefor. A handle-bar 29 is fitted to the upper end of the steering-post and serves as convenient means for vibrating the lever-frame and for turning the post to properly guide the machine. The universal joint 2 is in transverse alinement with the pivot-supports 10 of the lever-frame,

thereby obviating binding and minimizing. the resistance to the free operation of the leyer-frame.

A clutch is interposed between the upper section of the steering-post and the leverframe to steady the steering post. This clutch comprises a pivoted member 12 and a rotatable member 30, the latter being fast to the section 13 and provided upon its upper side with a tooth 31, oppositely inclined and adapted to enter a corresponding notch 32 of the pivoted clutch member 12. A tensionspring 33 normally exerts a downward pressure upon the free end of the clutch member 12, so as to hold it in positive engagement with a clutch member 30. The clutch member 12 consists of a bar pivoted at one end between spaced lugs 34 and having its opposite end portion passed between s aced lugs 35, bothsets of spaced lugs 34 an 35 being provided upon the brace 11. An opening 36 is formed in the brace 12 for the passage therev through of the section 13.

Havin thus described the invention, what is claims as new is 1. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a sectional steering-post, a pilot-wheel, connections between the pilotwheel and a section of the steering-post, and a clutch between the other section of the steering-post and the machine-frame.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pilot-wheel, a steeringpost composed of sectlons havinga universaljoint connection, one of said sections being mounted to turn only and having connection with the pilot-wheel and the other section mounted to have both a turning and a vibratory movement, and a clutch between the last-mentioned section and the supportingframe therefor.

3. In a machine of the character set forth,

the combination of the main frame, a pilotwheel, a leverfra1ne,a sectional steering-post having its sections connected by a universal joint in transverse alinement with the fulcrum of the lever-frame, a vertical post journaled to the main frame and provided at its upper and lower ends with cross-bars, connections between the ends of the respective cross-bars and corresponding ends of similar cross-bars of the pilot-wheel and lower section of the steering-post, and a clutch between the upper section of the steering-post and the lever-frame.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of the main frame comprising upper and lower longitudinal bars, a pilotwheel, a lever-frame having its side members offset and pivoted near their lower ends to the lower longitudinal bars of the frame, the upper portions of said members passing between the upper longitudinal bars, a sectional steering-post having its upper section journaled in the lever-frame and lts lower section journaled to the machine-frame, a universal joint connecting the two sections and in transverse alinement with the pivot-supports of the lever-frame members, a brace connecting the members of the lever-frame, a clutch comprising a member fast with the upper section of the steering-post and a pivoted member mounted upon said brace, connecting means between the pilot-wheel and the lower section of the steering-post, and connecting means between the said lever-frame and the drive-axle.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLAUS A. RUDBECK. 

